Why is Liver Disease Rising Among Young People?
In recent years, there has been a concerning uptick in liver disease among young adults. Did you know that excess weight and type II diabetes increases your risk for liver disease? Startling research shows a connection between the diseases and a rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially in young people.
According to recent research published in the Journal of Hepatology, the prevalence of NAFLD has increased by more than 50 percent over the last three decades. It has now become the most common liver disease, affecting about 38 percent of the U.S. population. The American Liver Foundation estimates that about 25 percent of American adults—or about 100 million people—have NAFLD. Research also shows that the disease is more commonly affecting younger adults between the ages of 18 and 30.
What is NAFLD?
NAFLD usually has minimal-to-no symptoms, develops gradually, and can go unnoticed for many years. The disease develops when too much fat builds up in the liver, making it harder for the organ to filter waste, digest fats into energy, fight germs, and regulate blood pressure and sugars. While it’s normal for the liver to store some fat, when more than 5 percent of the liver’s weight comes from excess stored fat, it becomes a problem. This can lead to permanent liver damage, such as liver cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, and even organ failure, which can lead to the need for dialysis or an organ transplant.
Who’s at Risk?
Excess weight, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and diabetes can increase your risk of developing NAFLD. While genetics can also be a factor, NAFLD is tied to lifestyle factors, such as diet and lack of exercise, and has risen alongside the obesity epidemic in the U.S.
How to Get Screened
Most people don’t notice any signs of early liver disease until the condition worsens, making screening even more important. The earlier the disease or liver damage is detected, the greater the opportunity to stop, slow, and in certain cases, reverse the damage.
Your doctor can check your liver function by testing your liver enzymes through a routine blood test. This will show whether you are at low, medium, or high risk of liver disease. Your doctor can also order an imaging test, such as a CT scan or MRI, to determine the amount of excess fat in your liver.
Caring for Your Liver
While there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat NAFLD, you can make lifestyle changes to help prevent, slow down, and even reverse liver damage.
Diet: Making healthier food choices can help you manage a healthy weight, which can help decrease damage to your liver.
Watch your portion sizes and your intake of fats, carbohydrates, and sugars. Specifically, try your best to replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats. Also, try to eat low-glycemic foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as opposed to white rice or white bread), and avoid foods that are high in sugars, such as sodas, juices, and sweets.
Activity: Regular exercise and movement can help you lose and/or manage weight. Movement, even without weight loss, can do wonders for the liver and other organs.
Regular check-ups: Be sure to get an annual physical or see your doctor regularly so they can continually monitor your health, including blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and liver enzymes. The key is to catch any problems early to slow or stop the progression of the disease before major, irreversible damage is done.
To schedule your appointment with a Jackson Medical Group primary care physician, call 305-585-4564 or visit https://medicalgroup.jacksonhealth.org/.